Saints

Commemorated on December 10th

The Holy Martyrs Menas, Hermogenes, and Eugraphos

St Menas, according to the Synaxaristes, had Athens as his homeland. He was a military officer, an educated man and skilled in speech, wherefore he was surnamed Kallikelados ("most eloquent"); Eugraphos was his scribe, and both had Christian parents. The Emperor Maximinus (though was the successor of Alexander Severus, and reigned from 235 to 238 AD) sent St Menas to Alexandria to employ his eloquence to end a certain strife among the citizens. St Menas, having accomplished this, also employed his eloquence to strengthen the Christians in their faith, which when Maximinus heard, he sent Hermogenes, who was an eparch born to unbelievers, to turn Menas away from Christ. However, Hermogenes rather came to the Faith of Christ because of the miracles wrought by St Menas. Sts Menas, Eugraphos, and Hermogenes received the crown of martyrdom in the year 235 AD.

Dismissal Hymn (Plagal of Fourth Tone)

When the bodiless one

Since they had slain through their abstinence and struggles the fiery ragings and fierce motions of the passions, the staunch Martyrs of Christ God laid hold on the graces to drive off the pains and illnesses of the sick and work wonders both while living and after death. Strange indeed is the miracle! That these bare bones should pour forth such overflowing streams of cures. Glory be to our only God.

Kontakion (First Tone)

The soldiers standing guard

With sacred songs and hymns, let us all render honour to marvellous Menas, with the valiant Eugraphos and the godly Hermogenes, for they honoured the Lord of all; and for Him, they suffered. Wherefore, being united to the awesome choir of Heaven's bodiless Angels, they pour forth great miracles.

Another Kontakion (Fourth Tone)

On this day You have appeared

The Lord snatched you out of the temporal army, making you a fellow-heir of the eternal, O Menas, with them that suffered and died with you; and He grants you the crown incorruptible.